Pass: 184,867 / 71.10% Yes votes ...... 75,129 / 28.90% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

YES
NO

Meaning of Voting Yes/No

A YES vote on this measure means:

A "yes" vote is a vote to continue the process of transferring monies from the County general fund to the County park fund for park purposes for twelve years.

A NO vote on this measure means:

A "no" vote is a vote to terminate the transfer provided by section 604 of the County Charter, effective June 30, 2009.

The purpose of this measure is to ensure that a minimum amount of money will be placed into the County park fund for acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of County parks. The measure does not place a maximum limit on the amount the Board of Supervisors may devote to County parks. This measure does not increase taxes. It would continue the process of transferring monies from the County general fund to the County park fund for park purposes for a period of twelve years, although it would change certain aspects of section 604 of the County Charter.

The proposed measure would continue the requirement in section 604 of the County Charter that the Board of Supervisors transfer a minimum amount of funds from the general fund to the County park fund. That minimum level of funding is the amount that would be raised for that year by a tax of $0.01425 per one hundred dollars ($100.00) of assessed valuation of all real and personal property situation within Santa Clara County. Section 604 of the County Charter expires on June 30, 2009; the current measure would extend the transfer provision through June 30, 2021.

The current measure would require the Board of Supervisors to use at least 15% of the fund for the acquisition of real property and at least 5% of the fund for park development for County park purposes. The remaining funds would be for County park operations. By contrast, the current Charter section requires the Board of Supervisors to use at least 20% of the funds for the acquisition of real property for County park purposes; the remaining funds are to be appropriated for the development, maintenance, and operation of County parks.

A "yes" vote is a vote to continue the process of transferring monies from the County general fund to the County park fund for park purposes for twelve years.

A "no" vote is a vote to terminate the transfer provided by section 604 of the County Charter, effective June 30, 2009.

Ann Miller Ravel County Counsel

By: /s/ Kathryn Zoglin

Deputy County Counsel

Santa Clara County Parks webpage

May 12, Friday, 7:30pm, Saratoga Library Community Room, Saratoga Ave. and Fruitvale Ave. PROS & CONS on State, County, Foothill/DeAnza College, & Saratoga Measures Sponsored by the League of Women Voters

A YES vote on Measure B will not increase taxes. Measure B assures that a small portion of existing property tax revenue will be allocated to keep Santa Clara County Parks open and provide necessary funds to:

Protect watersheds and wildlife
Purchase natural areas of outstanding scenic quality
Rehabilitate and maintain park facilities
Expand access to urban and rural trails
Provide adequate staffing for all County parks

Over 3 million visitors each year enjoy the multiple benefits of our 45,000-acre County park system. Whether you hike at Rancho San Antonio, ride at Almaden Quicksilver, camp at Mount Madonna, fish at Coyote Lake, birdwatch at Alviso Marina, boat at Anderson, picnic at Vasona, or bike along the Los Gatos Creek Trail, County Parks offers something for everyone.

Measure B is a responsible and proven way to maintain and enhance our quality of life and is endorsed by the League of Women Voters, League of Conservation Voters, Girl Scouts and numerous neighborhood associations.

Join Us in Voting YES for Measure B.

/s/ Michael M. Honda

Congressman, District 15

Chair, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

President, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce

Director, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

Chair, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Commission

(2) The Board of Supervisors shall appropriate the money in the county park fund for the acquisition, development, or acquisition and development of real property for county park purposes and for the maintenance and operation of county parks. At least 15% of the funds transferred from the general fund shall be set aside and used for the acquisition of real property for county park purposes and at least 5% used for park development for county park purposes, and the remaining funds shall be used for county park operations.

(3) The county shall not acquire real property for any park purpose until the Board of Supervisors has determined that the acquisition is in conformity with the adopted county parks and recreation element of the general plan.

(4) This section shall be operative commencing with the 2009-2010 fiscal year (July 1, 2009) and shall be repealed at the end of the 2021 fiscal year; provided, however, any unobligated monies remaining in the fund on June 30, 2021, shall be used only for the purposes set forth in subsection (2) of this section.

(5) The intent of this section is to ensure that a minimum amount of money will be placed into the county park fund for acquisition, development, operation and maintenance purposes. Nothing in this section shall be construed as a limitation on the amount of money the Board of Supervisors may transfer into the county park fund for county park purposes or otherwise appropriate for county park purposes.